Dugger: given $350k “to ensure a smooth transition and to avoid any litigation between the parties”

In other words, “to allow me to steal from the public”

david vartanoff

Much as I resent paying her to be fired, two reality checks. When Home Depot fired their CEO several years ago they gave him $246 MILLION. Two, a citizen referendum amendment to BART’s charter should be able to both cap the GM salary and prevent large severance fees.

GoGregorio

I don’t care for the SM Daily News suggestion that a new fee be placed on transit-oriented development; this seems like a punishment for doing the right thing.

However, I wonder if you might give each resident of a TOD neighborhood a local monthly transit pass, and charge them for it in their rent. That way they are paying to support the rail line that makes their neighborhood liveable, but are also receiving the direct benefits of it. The extra money atop the rent, of course, would go to the local transit agency. You’re encouraging residents to use transit, and making those who choose to drive still pay for transit’s upkeep.

Maybe this is already being used, maybe it’s a stupid idea for some reason I haven’t thought of, but I would be interested in seeing this idea attempted.

Anonymous

I think it’s a great idea. Make it part of the HOA fees.

Anonymous

THing is, some TOD neighborhoods (like my RIncon HIll neighborhood) are so close to jobs and other destinations that walking or bicycling could be the primary modes of transportation. Heck, the 12-Folsom bus no longer comes through the Rincon Hill neighborhood – taking transit to get groceries isn’t even feasible really.

SteveS

I agree with Jamie – this needlessly takes choice away from people who we are choosing to live in TOD. Why should you be punished if you choose to walk or bike for many trips?

Anonymous

I think the proposal was for sites along the peninsula, but yes you shouldn’t be punished for choosing to walk/bike.

GoGregorio

I guess I hadn’t thought about people who walk and/or bike, but to be honest, I’m not sure that it changes my opinion. If the development is being sold as “transit-oriented”, then the presence of transit should make this a better place to live, regardless of if you use it or not. I don’t bike, but the vast majority of my travel is by foot, but I still do feel that the presence of multiple transit options near where I work/live make them better places to live, and I couldn’t imagine not holding a monthly pass.

The ideal transit-oriented development should be one in which the community and the available transit should form a symbiotic, mutually-beneficial relationship. Supporting the transit shouldn’t be seen as a penalty, although I could see how it might be.

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Word On The Street

“The fact we cannot say definitively that ticketing cyclists for not making full and complete stops necessarily decreases injuries or otherwise reduces collisions gets to the very heart of the issue: Sanford's impending crackdown is not data-driven...
And all the while, this crackdown will better enable motorists near and far to continue, without consequences, to commit the five traffic violations that the data clearly shows us are causing the greatest harm to the most road users.
Bias, bias, bias.”